Prince of Persia: The sands of time

"Prince of Persia: The sands of time"

Watched English movie Prince of Persia: The sands of time. 

This film is directed by Mike Newell. Screenplay by Boaz Yakin, Doug Miro. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer & Walt Disney. Music by Harry Gregson-Williams. Cinematography John Seale. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley, Toby Kebbell, Alfred Molina, Richard Coyle. The film runs for a little less than 2 hour and was released in 2010. I watched it on OSN on 14th Aug 2021.

Dastan, an orphan, is adopted by King of Persia and raised as Prince. Nizam, kings brother, brings evidence that sacred city of Alamut is forging weapons for Persia's enemies. Persian armies attack and conquer the city led by heroic adventures of Prince Dastan. Priestess Princess of Alamut is captured and Dastan gets hold of an enigmatic dagger. Someone kills the king and Dastan is accused. Everything is not what it seems.

It's a movie based on video game with same name. In the game, the prince, climbs on and jumps from various buildings. The same happens in the movie and these scenes are really watchable. 

It's a story set in old time Persia with elements of paranormal and fiction combined with realistic action sequences, good special effects and decent acting.

Film critics criticised that Jake did not suit the title role. Jake is understood to have made a similar statement. However I didn't feel so. Jake suited in the role. Gemma is given Cleopatrish appearance and is referred in the movie as the the most beautiful woman in the world. However, she doesn't look so. Ben Kingsley portrays the antagonist to perfection. His looks are sufficient to portray his mal-intent. Other supporting cast does well. 

This film made a good profit and was the highest-grossing video game film at that time. 

Recommend to watch, if you like the game. 

Kingsman: The secret service

"Kingsman: The secret service"

Watched English movie Kingsman: The secret service. 

This film is directed by Matthew Vaughn. Screenplay by Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn. Produced by Matthew Vaughn and others. Music by Henry Jackman, Matthew Margeson. Cinematography George Richmond. The film stars Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Strong, Michael Caine, Sofia Boutella. The film runs for 2 hour 9 minutes and was released in 2014. I watched it on OSN on 13th Aug 2021.

A secret spy organization of England, independent of any government interference. Fantastic gadgets and weapons. Name: Kingsman. Limited members with superb survival and killing skills named after King Arthur's knights. Eggsy, whose father was a member and died trying to save Harry, auditions for induction in Kingsman. A megalomaniac billionaire issues free sim cards and internet access to all. But he has an agenda. 

It's a sleek story. Fantastic action. Amazing gadgets. Very good special effects. Fast pace with vintage English atmosphere and setup. The concept of Kingsman is interesting but it's never revealed who they eventually report to. 

Samuel Jackson plays the megalomaniac. Although he acts well, he simply doesn't look like a megalomaniac. Tarron plays the rookie well. However his language transforms from lower class to upper class in a jiffy. Colin plays the mentor and looks as if the role was written for him. 

Cinematography is very good and so are special effects. Director handles the story well and presents it as what it is, a sleek action flick. This film won Empire award and Best British Film in 2015. It was a commercial succes too netting five times the production cost at box office. 

Recommend watching. 

No time to die

"No time to die"

Watched English film "No time to die", latest James Bond film. This film is directed by Cari Joji Fukunaga. Produced by Michael J. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Cari Joji Fukunaga. Cinematography by Linus Sandgren. Music by Hans Zimmer. The film stars Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Wishaw, Ana de Armas, Lashana Lynch, Jeffrey Wright, Billy Magnussen, Rory Kinnear, David Dencik, Dali Benssalah. This film was released in 2021. It runs for about 2 hour 43 minutes. I watched in theatre on Oct with Jayant and Dada.

Bond is in love with Madeleine. There is an assassination attempt. Bond suspects her and sends her away. Time leap. Bond isn't active any more. MI6 assign Nomi, a black lady, as 007. A bio weapon is stolen from MI6's lab that doesn't exist. Bond is brought back into the fold. 

What it's the bio weapon? Who will be 007?

Bio weapon with nano bots that target specific DNA is a curious plot. Such a weapon in hands of a villain is a recipe for disaster. One 007 isn't sufficient. 

Like any other Bond movie, this one too has top class action scenes. It's the USP. There are gadgets made by Q, another USP. 

Two characters stand out and none of them is Bond. One is the villain Safin, played by Rami, who underplays the character and makes it chilling and calculative. Second is Madeleine, played by Léa. She is beautiful, acts well as wronged one who still loves Bond but is fiercely independent. 

This movie has a number of firsts. Bond being emotionally involved and looking to settle, Bond having a child, Bond is dead etc. This makes Bond humane but at the same time reduces the glamour. 

Cinematographically, the opening scene is excellent. All the actions are shot very well and are tantalising. 

Specially of Daniel Craig's Bond films is its continuity. The characters and references from previous movies keep appearing. This was not the case in previous bond films. Each film was a stand alone film. 

The million dollar question on everyone's mind is 'Will there be any more James Bond films?'. Will they bring Bond back to life? Will Nomi continue as 007? Will there be a new Bond and will the story simply reset? Well, we have to wait and watch. 

Watch if you like Bond films. 

Chehre (चेहरे)

"Chehre (चेहरे)"

Watched Hindi movie "Chehre (चेहरे)". This movie is directed by Rumy Jaffery. Produced by Anand Pandit. Screenplay and dialogues by Ranjit Kapoor, Rumy Jaffery. Music Vishal-Shekhar, Gourav Dasgupta. Cinematography Binod Pradhan. It stars Amitabh Bacchan, Annu Kapoor, Imran Hashmi, Raghubir Yadav, Rhea Chakraborty, Dhritiman Chatterjee, Samir Soni, Siddhanth Kapoor, Krystle D'Souza, Alexx O'Nell. The film runs for 2 hours 19 minutes and was released in Aug 2021. I watched the movie on Amazon Prime with Aditi and Dada on 9th Oct 2021.

Imran is driving through a snowy mountain when fallen tree blocks his path. Luckly he meets a retired defense lawyer who takes him to his friends, a retired prosecutor, a retired judge, a retired hangman. They propose to play a game, a mock trial, and invite Imran to become the accused. A mock trial or is it?

Will Imran accept? What will be the charges? How will the trial go? How will it end? What happens to the game?

It's a psycho thriller. Mysterious plot. Excitement of unknown. Mind games. A well handled plot and well directed movie. Most of the movie happens in a house with a few outdoor shots. A mock court, an accused, proofs, arguments and verdict. 

In my opinion the movie takes longer than necessary to start the trial after interval. The trial is developed nicely. However, the movie doesn't end with an ascending graph. At the time of verdict one wonders, if the verdict is in proportion to the crime. Probably even director thought the same after watching the rushes and then appended another scene as an afterthought to end the movie with a small surprise. 

Amithabh's long-winded closing argument is  scintillating acting, but script wise it appears a bit out of context and a gross generalization with rape, acid attacks, terrorism and law & order (in general) being discussed rather than the context of the case in hand.

All actors are established actors and they do well. Imran and Rhea ensure that they do not fall woefully inadequate in the August company. 

Cinematography is good. Outdoor snow covered locations are good. The last action scene, especially, deserves special mention. Music is forgettable. 

If a few things had been handled better, it would have become a good movie. 

Its a one time watch.

Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of life

Mandar's movie review

"Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of life"

Watched English movie "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of life". 

This movie is directed by Jan de Bont. Produced by Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin. Screenplay Jean Georgaris. Story Steven E. de Souza, James V. Hart. Music by Alan Silvestri. Cinematography by David Tattersall. This movie stars Angelina Jolie, Gerard Butler, Noah Taylor, Djimon Hounsou, Ciarán Hinds, Simon Yam, Terence Yin. This movie was released on 2003 and runs for about 2 hours. I watched the movie on OSN on 12th Aug 2021.

This is the second film in Lara Croft enterprise. Angelina refused to do any more films. 

An earthquake near Greece unveils Luna temple built by Alexander. Here Lara discovers an orb that's supposed to open Pandora's box which is located in the Cradle of life. Pandora's box is a box that contains a deadly plague. But the villains attack and steal the orb.

A villain wants to discover Pandora's box and sell the pathogen. Lara obviously wants to prevent. She decides to collaborate with MI6. She demands release of Terry (Gerard), her ex flame, from prison to assist her. 

What follows next is a series of high octane action scenes, good special effects, scenic locations, grand sets but little emphasis on story and acting. A lot of bullets fly around but none touch Lara and Terry. There are African tribes, beautiful animals, shadow monsters and of course Pandora's box & Cradle of life. 

Angelina suits as Lara. Her action scenes are graceful and she also tries to act. Gerard is known as action hero, however, his character undergoes inexplicable transformation at the end. I found Ciarán's acting inadequate. Djimon has impressive personality. Others don't have enough exposure worth mentioning. 

Cinematography and special effects are good. Director could have done a better job by paying more attention to story. 

This film made a tidy profit but wasn't as successful as the first one. 

Watch if you want to watch a mindless entertaining action flick. 

For more movie reviews, please visit:

Mandar's Movie reviews

http://mandarmoviereviews.blogspot.com

Hercules

Mandar's movie review

"Hercules"

Watched English movie "Hercules". Direction: Brett Ratner. Screenplay: Ryan J. Condal, Evan Spillotopoulos. Story by Steve Moore. Produced by Brett Ratner and others. Cinematography Dante Spinotti. Music by Fernando Velázquez. It features Dwayne Johnson, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, John Hurt, Rebecca Ferguson, Joseph Fiennes, Aksel Hennie, Reece Ritchie. The movie was released in 2014 and runs for about 1 hour 38 minutes. I watched it on OSN on 11th Aug 2021.

In past wife and thre children of Hercules were killed and Hercules was found unconscious near their bodies. He is considered killer, leaves Athens and becomes a mercenary. He and his friends are recruited by King Cotys of Threcia to defend his kingdom against attacks of Rhesus.

Is Hercules son of God? Are the legends about him true or is he just another human being? Can Hercules train the ragtag bunch of farmers? Can he defeat Rhesus? Is everything as it seems or not?

This is a fiction based in Greek legend of Hercules. The movie depicts him as human with extraordinary power, courage and resolve. His nephew's tales make him demigod with superpowers and it works in favour of his band of mercenaries. Basically it tells us that you can become a hero if you believe. 

With The Rock starring in the film based on Greek mythology, I expected it to be an action film and i wasn't surprised that it was. I also expected that it will be a run of the mill flick but was presently surprised to find it also is a decent film and gives a message. 

Dwayne acts well. He is maturing as actor with time. His band of mercenaries and his close friends play supporting role. Rufus Sewell and Aksel Hennie impress. 

The story is good. It shows the tormented Hercules, the brave Hercules, the good and empathetic Hercules and the avenging Hercules. Credit to the author. 

Action scenes are good, especially the war scenes. Special effects serve their purpose but can't call them wow. Cinematography is good. This movie made a tidy profit st box office. 

All in all a good light movie to watch if you have some spare time and don't mind the genre. 

For more movie reviews, please visit:

Mandar's Movie reviews

http://mandarmoviereviews.blogspot.com

Gemini man

"Gemini man"

Watched English movie Gemini man. Directed by Ang Lee. Produced by Jerry Bruchkheimer and others. Story by Dareren Lemke and David Benioff. Cinematography Dion Beebe. Music Lorne Balfe. It stars Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, Benedict Wong. I watched this movie on Netflix, on 7th Aug 2021. The movie is about 2 hour long and was released in 2019.

Will Smith is best sniper of US. He decides to retire after 72 kills, at the age of 51. He is chased by an assassin who anticipates his moves as if he knows them. He is younger and faster. He looks like younger him. 

Who is this assassin? Why is he trying to kill him? Who sent him? How come he looks like him?

Well it doesn't remain secret that it's a clone of Will created by Gemini. They have same DNA. They have same habits. They have same history. But do they have same feelings?

It's an interesting plot. But the execution is shallow. It could have become a fantastic movie if director had given more attention to the story and execution. Alas! It doesn't happen, so it becomes a commercially acceptable successful movie that made a profit on box office. 

Young and old Will Smith are shown very well. The fight scene between them is also engaging. 

Will Smith does the double role well. He is more convincing as the older self. Mary looks good, acts ok and supports the story. Benedict, who impressed as Kublai Khan in TV show Marco Polo, plays a secondary character in this movie. 

Why Gemini man? Well, Gemini is the name of private defence contractor who cloned Will. It's a lame title. 

Watch as an action flick.